Archive for October, 2009

United States Pattern coins are varied and diverse, with mismatched designs and denominations, but display more of the artistic side of the U.S. engravers and mint officials. One cent patterns abound in different designs, like the Annular cent (left), but never made it to circulation status nor lofty mintages.

The Annular Cent is but one example, of the many different proposed designs for a new one cent coin. Furthermore, this created a rare and valuable market, and an alternative market for coin collectors that are not much inspired by the standard designs adopted for American Coinage.

The list of One Cent Patterns doesn’t stop at the Annular Cents, but also includes more familiar alterations of the Indian Cent, Flying Eagle Cent, and Braided Hair types, but also includes other unconventional, and not widely known types like the Shield One Cent, One Cent with the Three Cent Nickel Obverse, and the 1942 Centavo plastic planchet cent, to just name a few.

If you want to know more of these rare patterns, and see pictures, mintages and more information, visit our One Cent Patterns Guides. You will be surprised!

Hello everybody. Over the last few months, I’ve noticed that the Chinese counterfeiter, Ciyun Liu (“Jinghuashei” as he likes to call himself), has been adding to his lineup, counterfeit pattern trade dollars from 1873, numerous German coins, Libertas Americana medals,  $3 gold coins etc. These are of the typical quality of his counterfeits- excellent. he uses Chinese law to defend his business practices, and, while it is true that it is legal to sell unmarked counterfeits in China, it is strictly illegal for him to sell his so-called “replicas” to anyone in The United States, per the Hobby Protection Act. I’ve informed him of this a number of times, yet, he still seems to feel that Chinese laws apply to the whole world.

Anyhow, my purpose of this article is to further my point about his unethical practices, I present to you, the following:

The above picture is of Jinghuashei’s dies. he does not hesitate to sell these to anyone in the world. In fact, I inquired to him as to arranging the purchase of dies, and, he informed me “$50 for damaged, $200 for new ones”, which is obviously regardless of the country to which the parcel is being sent to, as, I made it clear in our emails that I was located in The U.S.

Do NOT tolerate his counterfeiting, and do NOT believe the lies that you “Can’t do anything about it”. We can do something about it, and we will.  Do your part to keep numismatics clear of counterfeiting. When reporting his listings,  please do the following:

1) If you are on eBay, and you come across one of his coins, report it.

2) When reporting it, please point out also that Jinghuashei has at least one other account, which is Jinghuashei_Multiple_Shop.

3) Point out that counterfeiting is illegal.

4) Point out that multiple accounts are a violation of eBay’s policies.

5) Tell your Numismatic friends to do so, as well.

6) Watch in joy as eBay bans him!

Together we can stop counterfeiting, and the above is just one way. Jing is not alone though, there are many counterfeiters on eBay, selling their coins as “Replicas”, though, they don’t have the word “copy” anywhere on them, in violation of The Hobby Protection act. do the same with them. It’s your right. It’s your duty. It’s your hobby. Help keep eBay clean of counterfeiting!

Isaiah Barrett